Yeah, but the German entry into Paris came after the French humiliated Prussia at Jena in 1806. This resulted in an upswing of German nationalism, and the innovations of the Prussian Army, including the invention of the modern General Staff, which the French didn't cotton onto until their defeat in 1870-1871. The French are not cowards; they just sometimes on the wrong end of military innovation.
Seem to have grasped the surrender concept pretty well... Strategically they're cowards. The last time they won any battle was when an Italian (Sicilian) was at the helm. And Italy hasn't seen much victory either since Caesar.